Enoc opens first ‘green’ service station

Dubai, January 5, 2011

Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) has launched the first 'green service station' in the Middle East at the Emirates Hills neighbourhood in Dubai.

Underscoring the commitment of the company to the sustainable development initiatives of the UAE, the new eco-friendly service station has a range of unique features all aimed at reducing the ecological footprint of the users.

Among the innovative green initiatives at the station are advanced technological devices to contain petrol fumes released at the pump, and a variety of other state-of-the-art systems, including solar-powered lighting, a ‘waterless’ car-washing system, new waste segregation systems, and design upgrades to reduce noise pollution.

Saeed Abdullah Khoory, ENOC’s chief executive officer, said, "With the opening of the station, we are setting a trend not only in the UAE but also across the Middle East."

"We are encouraging Dubai residents to reduce their environmental footprints by using the green services we provide. The green station underscores the core values ENOC upholds, which includes a steadfast commitment to society," he added.

The station generates half of its energy requirements from renewable sources. The site uses Solar Powered Pole and LED lights, with a long life span of up to 50,000 hours and low voltage safe against electrical fire hazards.

These lamps do not need to be replaced for up to 12 years. The service station will also use sensor type water taps and two-stage flush systems in the toilets.

Sustainable water features have also been installed to cut water consumption by a quarter. The new service station recycles carwash water and also provides customers the option to use a waterless car wash system, which cleans car without using a single drop of water.

The waterless car wash concept saves water and prevents detergents from polluting the environment with its new ‘No-Wet’ technique, an all-in-one eco-friendly car wash liquid. Made from all natural ingredients, the product does not contain petroleum distillates, silicone, abrasives, harmful chemicals or detergents that pollute water.

Zaid Al Qufaidi, chief executive officer, Retail Business Stream of Enoc/Eppco, said this is the first of many eco-friendly stations that the company aims to build in the future.

"We are excited that we can lessen environmental impact every time customers use our services. Our trained staff will also encourage customers to take small but significant steps to adopt a greener lifestyle, by promoting recycling and using the waterless carwash," he added.

Enoc, he said, has invested in an extensive training programme for its staff at the service station. Retailers have also been selected on the basis of their commitment to the environment.

“We followed stringent procedures for the selection of our retail partners to increase the station’s sustainability,” Al Qufaidi noted.

The green Very Low Sulfur Diesel (VLSD), which contains 10 times less sulfur than the standard one, will be available at the station.

Other key environmentally-friendly products include Hiclone fuel-saving devices. When installed on the vehicle, Hiclone improves fuel economy and engine efficiency while helping decrease air and noise pollution.

In addition, the service station will only use biodegradable plastic bags, like all the existing Enoc/Eppco service stations, he added.-TradeArabia News Service